Electric-arc lamp.



No. 708,032. Patented Sept. 2, 1902.. E. A. EDWARDS.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

"Application filed Nov. 25, 1901.) (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

mum IIHIIIHIIHH Z- a. finwwm ZZZ/ THE urinals PETERS co, PHOTO-UYHO" msnmnmn. nv c.

Patented Sept. 2, I902. E. A. EDWARDS. ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Application filed Nov. 25. 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I g F f4. naiii A w 3 WW w {III IIIII $459M m M/H/Z m M 9 l (No Model.)

I455: ::5:55.515; w v w IlUllllllli alumna/13o No. 708,032. Patented Sept. 2, I902. E. A. EDWARDS.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Applicatiun filed Nov. 25, 1901..

(H Model.) 3 Shegts$heet 3.

I'LL 4.

'3 1 122 F 104 In 0 Q w a PF 5,:1: ,1 L 5 E 0 E I 1 i 5 l 1' l 5 l E g I i I I i g E E E #z M E E f l I l i i a 5 I s i 1 2 a s 5 i 5 A i Lt: un

W I 567M 4. M

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR A. EDWARDS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAM P,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,032, dated September 52,1902.

Application filed November 25,1901. Serial No. 83,531. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR A. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Arc-Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric-arc lamps; and my invention consists in constructing the details of such lamps for the purpose of securing a regular and uniform feeding of the movable electrode notwithstanding jolts or vibrations of the parts by which the lamp is supported and in means for readily renewing the active point of the other electrode, all as set forth hereinafter and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a face elevation of an electricarclampembodyingmyimprovements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation in part section. Fig. 3 is a section of the retarding device and adjuncts on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. tis a face elevation of part of the apparatus in part section, showing the connections with the oscillating beam; and Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the guide devices for the movable electrode.

Upon a base A is erected a hollow standard 80, and from one side of the latter projects an arm 81, provided with supports for the metallic electrode d, the carbon electrode 6 being suspended from an arm 82 of a hollow plunger 83, sliding in the standard 80, the said plunger 83 being closed at the lower end and moving over a stationary valved piston 84, connected with a rod 85, suspended from a bracket 86, which is supported by the standard 80. There is such an amount of controlled leakage through the valve of the piston 84: that the plunger 83 can descend slowly under its weight and that of the attached parts when such descent is permitted, while the plunger may be quickly elevated in consequence of the lifting of the valve. The plunger 83 may contain air, water, or other fluid; but, preferably, an inelastic fluid, as water or oil, should be employed.

The metallic electrode (Z is in the form of a disk or wheel having pointed teeth on its periphery, which may be turned to register successively with the point of the carbon electrode and which is held in position with one of the pointed teeth uppermost by means of a spring-seated rod 87, with an upper end fitting between the adjacent teeth, the said rod being carried downward by grasping a pin 88 when the wheel is to be turned. Owing to the pointed shape of the teeth of the metallic electrode the contacting point on the negative pole of the arc will always coincide with the axis of the carbon electrode, insuring the continuous uniform position of the light, which is a matter of great importance in some structuresas, for instance, in the case of electric lamps which are used in connection with reflectors where the lamp must be exactly in focus-as, for instance, in locomotive-headlights-and in order to maintain uniformly the position of the carbon electrode the latter is connected with the bracket 86 through the medium of a blade 89, consisting of a strip so twisted that the lower portion will be at right angles to the upper part, which is bolted to the end of the bracket 86. This permits the electrode attached to the lower portion of the blade to be swung laterally in either direction, so that it may be readily brought to its desired position above the point of the electrode cl.

In order to exactly center the electrode 6 in place, I make use of a guide 90, having a V-shaped opening against the opposite converging faces of which the electrode 6 bears when its axis is coincident with the point of one of the teeth of the electrode d, and in order to maintain this contact at all times and yet permit the electrode to be readily carried in and out I make use of a pressure device acting upon the electrode 6 to force it between said faces. This pressure device may be of any suitable construction, but, as shown, is

a lever 91, having a weighted long arm and a short arm bearing against the side of the electrode 6 opposite the guide-faces and pivoted at 92 to an arm 93, which is supported by the bracket 81, extending from the side of the standard 80, but is insulated therefrom.

While the electrode d may be supported in any suitable manner, I prefer to clamp it between parallel plates or jaws 95, secured at their lower ends to a projection on the bracket 81 and perforated at their upper ends for the reception of a cross-pin 96, upon which the electrode may be turned from time to time, as required, in order to present a new tooth into operative line with the upper electrode whenever that in operation has become impaired. This further permits the toothed wheel constituting the electrode to be readily removed to be replaced by another whenever circumstances so demand.

Combined with the above-described parts is the main-circuit solenoid M and shunt-solenoid L, which are supported on opposite sides of the standard by a cross-bracket 98, and these solenoids act, respectively, upon cores 99 100, suspended from a cross-beam N, which is pivoted to the standard 80 at both sides thereof. The beam N also supports at one side of its pivot the weight of the plunger 83, electrode e, and attached parts, and at the opposite side of the fulcrum of the beam there is an adjustable counterweight 101, which is so set as to exactly counterbalance the weight at the opposite side of the fulcrum. By this means I maintain the beam N in absolute mechanical equilibrium so far as the weight of the parts acting upon opposite sides of the fulcrum is concerned, and it will therefore be evident that mechanically there is no tendency of the beam to vibrate in either direction to change the position of the movable electrode. Owing, further, to the parts being in equilibrium, there is no tendency to impart any movement to the beam or the attached parts under vertical movements of the locomotive or other apparatus to which the lamp may be connected, while as the beam is a straight beam and the points of bearing of all the parts connected therewith are upon the same transverse plane there will be no tendency whatever from side oscillations of the parts to disturb the equilibrium of the beam. This maintaining of the beam in equilibrium under the weight of all the parts connected therewith upon opposite sides of the fulcrum is a matter of extreme importance in connection with locomotive-headlights, where the apparatus is subjected to sudden abrupt jolts and changes of motion, which would result in setting the beam in rapid vibration and in the change of the relative positions of the electrodes; but by so connecting and arranging the parts as to secure such equilibrium the beam is prevented from changing its position underjolts or movements of the parts to which the lamp is attached, While it is free to move instantly upon the application of any power tending to change the preponderance of the weight to either side-as, for instance, any change of electrical conditions which acts upon one or the other of the cores of the solenoids.

The connection between the beam and the plunger is formed by means of an arm 103, forked and pivoted at the lower end to the beam at one side of the fulcrum and attached at the upper end to a block 104, which has a connection with the said plunger. This connection, however, is not a fixed connection, but consists of a pinion upon a shaft 106, extending through the block 104, and a rack 107 on the outside of the plunger, and a pawl 108, engaging the teeth of a ratchet-wheel 109, secured to the shaft 106. This pawl is connected to a stationary ear or bracket 110 upon the standard 80. So long as the pawl is in engagement with the teeth of the wheel 109 the pinion 105 cannot turn in respect to the rack 107, and consequently upon any oscillation of the beam N the weight of the plunger 83 and its connected parts will be maintained upon one side of the pivot of the beam, and this will be maintained during the descent of that side of the beam so long as the face of one of the teeth of the wheel 109 slides upon the end of the pawl 108. At once, however, upon the separation of the said tooth from the said pawl the pinion 105 is at liberty to turn without resistance, and consequently the plunger 83 and its attached parts may descend without acting upon the beam, or, in other words, the latter is at once relieved of the weight of the plunger and its attached parts, and consequently the counterweight 101 preponderates and lowers that end of the beam, swinging the latter in such manner as to lift the arm 103 and block 104, with the shaft and pinion and ratchet-wheel 109, and bring the latter again into engagement with the pawl 108, said shaft, however, thus ascending upon the relatively stationary rack being turned to move the ratchetwheel 109 one or more teeth,when the ratchetwheel again engages the pawl, so that when the parts again move together the plunger 83 and its attached parts (including the carbon electrode) will have been fed downward to a lower position. As soon as the ratchet engages the pawl the equilibrium is restored.

To that end of the beam which is connected with the core of the series solenoid M is connected adjustably one end of a spiral spring 102, attached at the lower end to an ear upon the standard and tending to tilt the beam to lift the core 100 when the current is discontinued, so that the beam will then be moved to a position to carry the point of the electrode c away from the electrode (2. The electrical equilibrium of the beam and pivoted parts thereon under the action of the solenoids at a predetermined arc resistance is maintained by regulating the tension of the balance spring 102 in respect to the action of the current tending to move the beam in the opposite direction. When, however, the current is discontinued, the spring will carry down that end of the beam adjacent to the series solenoid, and thereby, as stated, raise the point of the carbon electrode out of contact with the metallic electrode. As the length of the arc is increased by the disintegration of the carbon-point the proportion of the current in the shunt-solenoid is increased and that in the main solenoid is decreased until the action of the cores is such as to tilt the beam against the tension of the balance-spring and carry the block 104:, with its shaft and ratchet-wheel, downward sufficiently to disengage a tooth of the ratchetwheel from the pawl. This releases the pinion and permits the rack and plunger and attached parts to descend, carrying the carbon electrode downward to shorten the arc. The beam thus being relieved of the weight carried by the rack loses its equilibrium and is tipped by the counterweight in the opposite direction and reengages the ratchet-wheel and pawl with a successive tooth thereon. This operation is repeated automatically as often as the arc resistance is sufficiently increased above the predetermined amount. The teeth of the ratchet are made as small as practicable to properly engage with the pawl, so that the extent of movement of the beam in order to effect the above-described results is extremely small and secures a corresponding delicate adjustment of the parts.

The block 104 may be guided in any suitable way; but to permit its movement under as little friction as possible it is bolted to a fiat spring 112, secured at the opposite end to an arm 113, extending from the standard 80.

While the beam N may be a single straight beam, I prefer to fork it at its opposite ends, so as to receive between the forked ends the cores of the solenoids,pivoted thereto by suitable cross-pins. Set-screws 114, extending through the beam, serve to limit the extent of its play.

While I have described special devices as a means for momentarily disconnectinga portion of the connections between the beam at one side of its fulcrum and the movable electrode, it will be evident that various different appliances may be used for effecting this re sult.

Without limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown, I claim as my invention 1. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination with the movable electrode, ofa movable support therefor, means for feeding the electrode downward independently of the support, a counterweight balancing the Weight of the support and electrode, and means for releasing the connection between the electrode and support at the instant of feeding to bring the counterweight into active operation to move the support to its higher position independently of the electrode, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination with a movable electrode, of a beam, supports for the said electrode connected with the beam at one side of its fulcrum, means for counterbalancing the weight of the parts at the opposite side of the fulcrum, and a rack, pinion, ratchet-wheel and pawl for momentarily releasing the connection between the beam and electrode-support when the electrode has been carried downward to a predetermined extent, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in an electric lamp, of a beam, a movable electrode, means for supporting the electrode at one side of the fulcrum of the beam, means for momentarily disconnecting the beam and electrode when the latter has been carried downward to a predetermined distance and for thereafter engaging the two when the beam rises, and means for mechanically counterbalancing the weight of the electrode as long as the beam and electrode are in connection, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination in an electric-arc lamp, of a beam, a movable electrode supported by the beam at one side of the fulcrum thereof, a counterweight at the opposite side of the beam maintaining the latter mechanically in equilibrium, solenoids with cores supported by the beam at opposite sides of the fulcrum, and means whereby the connection between the beam and the movable electrode is momentarily released to permit the lifting of the beam and thereafter resumed to maintain the equilibrium of the beam, substantially as set forth.

5. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination with a movable electrode, of a beam supporting the electrode at one side of its fulcrum, a weight counterbalancing the weight of the electrode and means for momentarily releas ing the connection between the electrode and beam at the instant of feeding, with the effect of then vibrating the beam by the sole action of the weight, substantially as set forth.

6. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination with a movable electrode, ofasupport therefor, a beam connected with the support, means for equalizing the weight on opposite sides of the fulcrum of the beam to prevent the vibration of the beam on its fulcrum from the movements of the parts connected with the fulcrum, and means for momentarily releasing the connection between the support and electrode to alter the equilibrium of the beam and bring the weight into action to lift the end of the beam connected with the said support when the electrode has been fed downward to a predetermined extent, substantially as set forth.

'7. The combination with the base,operatingsolenoids, and movable electrode of an arclamp, of connections between the movable electrode and the beam at one side of the fulcrum of the latter, a counterbalance at the opposite side arranged to mechanically coun terbalance the beam as long as the beam and electrode are connected, and means for releasing momentarily the said connections when the movable electrode has been carried downward to a predetermined extent, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the beam, operating-solenoids, and movable electrode of an arc-lamp, of connections between the movable electrode and the beam at one side of the fulcrum of the latter, a counterbalance at the opposite side, a rack and pinion carried by independent parts of said connections, a ratchet-wheel connected with the pinion, and a pawl connected with a stationary part of the apparatus and to and from which the ratchet-wheel is carried by the vibrations of the beam, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the electrodes and operating-solenoids of an arc-lamp, of a beam connected with the movable electrode at one side of its fulcrum, and a weight at the opposite side of the fulcrum arranged to mechanically maintain the beam and parts connected therewith in equilibrium as long as the beam and electrode are in connection, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with the carbon-feeding mechanism of an electric-arc lamp, of a guide supported on fixed bearings having converging faces constituting a side bearing for the carbon, and a pressure device for maintaining the carbon against said faces, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with the carbon-feeding mechanism of an electric-arc lamp, of a guide having converging faces constituting a side bearing for the carbon, and a weighted lever for maintaining the carbon against said guide, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with one electrode of an arc-lamp, of a second electrode consisting of a disk having pointed teeth at the periphery, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with one electrode of an arc-lamp, of a second electrode consisting of a disk having pointed teeth at the periphery, and means for locking the disk with its active tooth in line with the axis of the opposite electrode, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with one electrode of an arc-lamp, of a second electrode consisting of a removable disk having pointed teeth at the periphery, substantially as set forth.

15. In an electric-arc lamp, an electrode consisting of a metallic disk adapted to be turned to different positions around its center, and with a series of pointed peripheral projections, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination with the carbon electrode of an arc-lamp, and with its support, of a connection between the support and the electrode constructed to permit the latter to swing laterally in directions at right angles to each other, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination with the carbon electrode of an arc-lamp, and with its support, of a connection,consisting of a flexible blade twisted to present the upper portion at right angles to the lower portion, between the support and the electrode constructed to permit the latter to swing laterally in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination with the carbon electrode of an arc-lamp, and with its support, of a connection, consisting of a blade twisted to present the upper portion at right angles to the lower portion, between the support and the electrode constructed to permit the latter to swing laterally in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination with the carbon electrode of an arc-lamp, and with its support, of a connection, consisting of a blade twisted to present the upper portion at right angles to the lower portion, between the support and the electrode constructed to permit the latter to swing laterally in opposite directions, the connections with the support all being upon a plane running through the fulcrum thereof, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination with the electromagnetic controlling devices of an arc-lamp, of a beam mounted on a fixed support, a pinion connected to one side of the fulcrum of the beam, a rack supported by the said pinion and connected to support the movable electrode, a ratchet-wheel connected with the pinion-shaft, and a pawl engaging the ratchetwheel and supported by a fixed part of the apparatus, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination with a beam fulcrumed on a fixed support, a movable electrode connected with the beam, feeding mechanism actuated thereby, and a weight to counterbalance the weight of the electrode so long as the electrode is connected therewith, of a balance-spring arranged to move the beam in one direction, and electromagnetic devices arranged to overcome the tension of the spring and move the beam in the other direction, whereby said feeding mechanism is actuated to control the vertical position of the point of the carbon and maintain a substantially constant arc resistance, substantially as set forth.

22. The combination with a beam fulcrumed on a fixed support, a movable electrode connected with the beam, feeding mechanisms actuated thereby, and a weight counterbalancing the weight of the electrode when connected with the beam, of electromagnetic devices arranged to control the movements of the beam in opposite directions respectively according to an increase or decrease in the arc resistance from the normal, and an adjustable balance-spring arranged to resist the action of one of said devices and to maintain the beam in a position with the poles of the are separated during the discontinuance of the electrical current, substantially as set forth.

23. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination with a movable electrode, of a beam supporting the electrode at one side of its fulcrum, a weight counterbalancing the weight of the electrode, means for momentarily releasing the connection between the electrode and beam at the instant of feeding, with the effect of then vibrating the beam by the sole action of the weight, and means for remaking the connection at a different point as the weighted end of the beam drops, substantially as set forth.

24. The combination in an electric arc lamp, of a beam, a movable electrode supname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDGAR A. EDWARDS.

the electrode, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my H. M. GILLMAN, Jr., W. CLARENCE DUVALL. 

